Having made its world premiere at IDFAs last week, ‘The Lonely Struggle of Thomas Reid’ enjoyed a very successful festival run in Amsterdam. Following its debut appearance, the film which is directed by Feargal Ward screened to strong festival crowds a further three times over the eleven day programme, which ran from November 15 – 26th.

The feature documentary also took part in the IDFAs ‘Doc for Sale’ markets, which was established to facilitates the sale of documentaries by gathering all interested parties, both during the festival and through online services. Producer Luke McManus spoke with IFTN about the sales agent interest that is surrounding the documentary after it was included in the top ten ‘most viewed docs’ at the ‘Doc for Sale’ market this year. Furthermore, the project is expected to be screened at a number of locations around the world with interest and requests coming following its debut at the IDFAs.

Speaking with IFTN, Producer Luke McManus said:

"The Main Competition for Feature Documentaries at IDFA, the world's biggest documentary festival, is exactly where any documentary maker would like their film to be. Director Feargal Ward and editor and sound designer Tadhg O'Sullivan attended the festival as well to launch The Lonely Battle of Thomas Reid, it's an ideal platform for the film's wider release in 2018, through both theatrical distribution and festivals."

Feargal Ward, the film's director told IFTN"The IDFA Amsterdam experience was great, it really is a fantastic festival. It's been a difficult journey to bring this story to screen, so to see it play to such receptive audiences in such beautiful surroundings was pretty special."

‘The Lonely Battle of Thomas Reid’ tells the story of Thomas Reid, a Co. Kildare farmer who, for years, has been locked in a gruelling battle with his neighbour — U.S. microchip manufacturer, Intel who wants to expand into Reid’s land. When his farm in Leixlip was the subject of a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) by the Industrial Development Authority (IDA), Thomas decided to risk everything by challenging the state body in a battle through the courts.

The film is directed by Feargal Ward, produced by Luke McManus of FSE Films, DOP is Feargal Ward, and the film’s sound design and editing was done by Tadhg O’Sullivan.

IDFA is the world’s leading documentary festival and prides itself on presenting work that stimulates and offers new perspectives, as well as championing documentaries that combine stylistic innovation with urgent content.